INTERNAL CUSHIONED METATARSAL GUARD FOR SAFETY FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

摘要

An improved safety boot or shoe is disclosed which integrally incorporates a cushioned metatarsal guard to protect the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot from injury caused by objects falling onto this region of the wearer's foot. The metatarsal guard is assembled from different segments of materials in consecutive layer fashion, and in the preferred embodiment includes a segment of impact cushion material, a segment of puncture-resistant material, a segment of force absorption material, and a segment of in-step cushion material. The segments are preferably adhesively affixed together to form a sandwich, with the sandwich then being interposed between the interior of the upper and the inner lining of the safety boot or shoe. In the preferred embodiment, a rigid toe is also included, with a portion of the metatarsal guard of the present invention overlying a portion of the rigid toe.